Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan met with Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko on Thursday to discuss expanding defense and security cooperation as Ankara continues to deepen its engagement with African nations.
“Today we discussed joint steps that we can take in the areas of security, the defense industry and the fight against terrorism,” Erdoğan said during a joint press conference in Ankara.
Erdoğan welcomed what he described as growing African interest in Turkish-made defense products and said Ankara aims to expand partnerships in the coming period.
Turkey has in recent years signed defense agreements with countries across Africa, including Somalia, Libya, Kenya, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Nigeria and Ghana. These agreements have helped Turkish defense contractors to secure export contracts, particularly for drones known for their affordability and performance.
Erdoğan praised Africa as the “star of our century,” pointing to its young population, labor force and natural resources. He said no country with a global outlook can afford to overlook the continent.
“Anyone who criticizes our partnership with Africa is trying to confine our country to shallow waters,” Erdoğan said, rejecting what he described as “arrogant, condescending, orientalist” attitudes toward Africa.
Sonko’s visit comes amid Turkey’s broader strategy to position itself as a security and economic partner for African states, many of which have been distancing themselves from former colonial powers in recent years.
© Agence France-Presse